Remotely operable closure device

ABSTRACT

A remotely operable closure device is disclosed. The device includes a base hub, a clamping mechanism, a closure mechanism, and a drive mechanism. The base hub is attached to a conduit and allows access to the conduit. The clamping mechanism is disposed about the base hub and is actuatable to clamp or unclamp about the base hub and a blind hub. The closure mechanism is movably connected to the clamping mechanism and is actuatable therewith to move the blind hub into or out of engagement with the base hub. The drive mechanism is remotely operable to simultaneously actuate the clamping mechanism and the closure mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to the Provisional Application No. 60/288,147 filed Apr. 30, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to pipeline closures, and particularly to clamp-type closures that are designed for pigging subsea petroleum pipelines.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Petroleum products flowing through pipelines deposit silt, mud, and foreign material on the walls of the pipe, much like fatty deposits within arteries. Debris traveling through oil pipelines has a tendency to accumulate on the pipe wall, which accordingly reduces the flow area and efficiency of the pipeline. Further, water and other liquids settle in low points of gas pipelines, forming similar obstructions to the flow of fluid through the line. To clean, or flush-out, the pipeline it is common practice within the petroleum industry to insert a “pig” into the pipeline so that it can be pushed along by the fluid flow and will push ahead of it any foreign debris which may be obstructing the flow through the line. This foreign material is either removed at the end of the pipeline, or ejected somewhere along the path of the pipeline.

[0006] In many adverse environments and/or locations, such as flow lines at subsea oil or gas wellheads, pigging a line may expose divers to extreme danger, that is of course if the depth even allows a diver to be present. The expense and the inherent dangers to life that are associated with diver-assisted pipeline operations prevent many subsea pipelines from being flushed and cleaned.

[0007] The current invention is directed to a remotely operated closure wherein safety risks and costs inherent to divers are minimized.

[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,125,116; 3,218,660; 3,246,355; and 3,473,550, disclose various devices for launching and receiving pigs in pipelines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipeline closure which allows for true remote operation.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety interlock system whereby the closure cannot be inadvertently opened.

[0011] It is yet another object of this invention that the pigging time be minimized through a quick open/close operation.

[0012] The closure device herein described allows for a segmented clamp to open or close by means of a single drive mechanism. The segmented clamp extends around a cap and hub, and when moved to the closed position, draws the cap in tight engagement to form a fluid-tight seal with the hub; conversely, when the clamp is actuated to the open position, the cap is pushed open by the use of an actuator mechanism with built in delay. The clamp segments are actuated by a drive mechanism, preferably a double acting screw, which is remotely operable to open or close the clamp. A remotely operated vehicle, such as an unmanned submersible, can open or close the clamp by applying torque to the screw end.

[0013] The clamp may be mounted to a base by means of shock absorbing pins that travel in slots within the base. These base plate slots serve to properly position the clamping surfaces. The cap is attached to the base by means of a connecting arm, and by means of a delaying mechanism that allows the clamp to open prior to the cap moving, and, conversely moves the cap into position for sealing prior to closing the clamp.

[0014] The invention also includes a safety mechanism, preferably a key of sorts, to prevent unintended openings of the closure.

[0015] The present invention may also have non-oceanic applications. For instance, the present invention may find application in any location where safety or environmental considerations prohibit personnel from working with standard pipeline closures.

[0016] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a pipeline closure comprising a plurality of clamp segments actuated by a double acting screw which may be remotely operated to open and close the clamp-type closure, and further having a cap assembly which provides a fluid tight seal when the closure is in the closed position, and which when open allows for the insertion of a pig into the pipeline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention with the cap open.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the invention with the cap closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein the cap 6 is shown in an open position. The cap 6 is connected to the base 2 with a connecting arm 8 and delaying mechanism 10. The delaying mechanism 10 serves ensures that the cap 6 is in position prior to the clamp 4 tightening around it, and also allows the clamp 4 to open prior to moving the cap 6 into a position for a pig to be inserted. The segmented clamp 4 is open and closed with a drive mechanism 12. FIG. 1 depicts the drive mechanism 12 as a double acting screw having right hand threads at one end and left hand threads at the other. The screw depicted also has a hex or square drive end. The clamp assembly is attached to the base 2 with shock absorbing members 14.

[0020]FIG. 2 shows the cap 6 in the closed position. The segmented clamp 4 locks the cap 6 into a fluid tight seal with the base hub.

[0021] In operation, it is contemplated that a remotely operated subsea vehicle would travel to the location of a submerged pipeline and interface with the remotely operated closure member of the present invention. The closure member may provide aligning guides or interfaces (not shown) for the ROV to use as landmarks. Once in position, the ROV would access the safety key shown in FIG. 2 which may or may not convey information to the ROV about whether the pipeline is pressurized or not. Either by access to the safety or by access to a test port in the pipeline adjacent the closure member (not shown) the ROV will determine or verify that the pipeline is not pressurized.

[0022] Once it has been determined that the pipeline is not pressurized, or that it is pressurized at a sufficiently low level, the ROV will activate the safety key, which in the preferred embodiment requires physically removing a member from the cap connecting arm. It will be appreciated that while the safety key located in the closure member, the drive mechanism will not be able to unclamp the cap from the hub or remove the cap from the hub.

[0023] Once the ROV has activated or removed the safety key, it then actuates the drive mechanism which in the preferred embodiment is a set of opposite hand screws. By rotating the opposite hand screw drive mechanism, the segmented clamp shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 articulate away from sealing engagement with the cap and hub. As shown in FIG. 1 the linkage between a segmented clamp and the cap is such that a delay is built in whereby the segmented clamp opens sufficient amount prior to the opening arm forcing the cap away from the hub. This delay is necessary so that the cap does not begin to move until the segmented clamp has sufficiently cleared the hub cap interface.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in the attached brochure, the delaying mechanism is attached at the outer moving ends of the segmented clamp. As the segmented clamp ends move away from each other, the central point of the delaying mechanism moves in a direction toward the cap. The opening arm is attached to the center point of the delaying mechanism and as the center point moves toward the cap, so does the opening arm. As the opening arm moves toward the cap, it reacts against the connecting arm, which, as shown in FIG. 1, causes the cap to pull away from the hub.

[0025] Upon further activation of the drive mechanism by the ROV, the cap connecting arm assembly is removed sufficiently from the opening of the hub such that a pigging tool or other device can be inserted into the pipeline. Once the tool has been inserted, the ROV can reverse the actuation of the drive mechanism which causes the movable ends of the segmented clamp to move toward one another and which causes the central point of the delaying mechanism to travel in a direction away from the cap.

[0026] This direction of travel is transferred to the opening arm to the cap connecting arm which causes the cap to draw back into contact with the hub. In this closing procedure, the delaying mechanism allows the hub to come inside the segmented clamp which it is sufficiently open to allow the cap inside. Once the cap is inside a segmented clamp, further activation of the drive mechanism closes the clamping surfaces about the cap and hub thereby reforming the sealed connection.

[0027] In addition, the cap and hub assembly may utilize a sealing mechanism of some type such as energized metal seal or an elastomeric seal. The invention contemplates a retainer mechanism on either cap or hub to hold the seal in place during opening and closing. In the preferred embodiment, the seal is an energized metallic seal that is held in place by an elastomeric member. During an open operation, the ROV can replace the sealing element with a new or refurbished element.

[0028] The materials from which the remotely operated closure of the present invention can be made are well known of those of skill in the art. Depending upon the life of the expected from the device, carbon steel, stainless steels or other non-corrosive or less corrosive materials may be used. It is even contemplated that composite materials may be used for the present invention.

[0029] The drawings provided with this disclosure demonstrate the use of the invention with a three-segment clamp. It will be appreciated that the invention can be implemented with segmented clamps of more or less components, but three-segments is the currently preferred embodiment. The drive mechanism, delaying mechanism and opening arm shown in the attached disclosure are mechanical in nature. The invention however contemplates that one or more of the drive mechanism, delaying mechanism or opening mechanism could be hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical in nature. In other words, the ROV could actuate hydraulic RAMS which open and close the segmented claim. Similarly, the cap can be removed and installed using a hydraulic actuator similar to that of the drive mechanism.

[0030] The concept of the invention disclosed in the attached figures and description illustrates a single actuation force which accomplishes opening the clamping member and removing the cap from the hub. This is the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is not the only embodiment of the invention as this disclosure makes clear. It is also contemplated that the invention can use the benefits of gravity to affect either opening of the cap from the hub or closing of the cap to the hub.

[0031] It is also contemplated that a portion of the segmented clamp, such as the fixed portion shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can provide a shield or cover for the hub. In this manner, the ceiling element can be located on the hub which can be shielded from detrimental affects of the environment by the fixed portion of the clamp.

[0032] The attached brochure provides other description and disclosure of the present invention by contrast with prior art devices. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A remotely operated closure comprising: a clamp having at least two segments attached to a base with shock absorbing members; a remotely operable drive member for opening and closing the clamp; a cap attached to the base by means of a connecting arm; a locking device to prevent the inadvertent opening of the clamp; and, a delaying mechanism attached to the cap wherein the mechanism allows the clamp to open prior to the cap, and the cap to close prior to the clamp.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the drive screw comprises a double-threaded screw.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base has an opening to accept a pipe end.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing members consist of spring-tensioned pins.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a fluid-tight seal is formed by means of a metallic seal. 